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dos and donts

14 tips to make it sound like you totally know what's going on at the Rugby World Cup

This guy knows.

RUGBY ISN’T FOR everyone. We get that, we really do. But we promise you’ll enjoy the next six weeks a whole lot more if you stop trying to ignore the World Cup. Just polish up your brass neck and hop aboard the bandwagon like you’ve been there all along.

An Italian fan before the game Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Don’t say

What colour are New Zealand?

There will be rare events when New Zealand have to change kit, but 99% of the time just look out for the team in All Black. Actually, you can go ahead and call them the All Blacks to ease the pressure on the memory bank.

Rugby Union - Dove Men Series 2014 - Wales v New Zealand- Millennium Stadium Andrew Matthews Andrew Matthews

Where is Brian O’Driscoll?

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South Africa: they’re all pack and no back, AMIRIGHT?

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Sit back and watch those Bokke backs fly.

Australia are an easy touch once you have a scrum

Yeah, go ask the All Blacks.

Australia New Zealand Rugby Championship Rick Rycroft Rick Rycroft

Then check which country has won two World Cups in Europe.

Paul O’Connell’s past it, just too old to cut it

Stony silence is the best response you can possibly hope for if you utter this nonsense.

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 Pfft! England always talk the talk, but fail on the big stage

That’s probably the football team you’re thinking of. It’s closer to the opposite in rugby.

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 It’s about time Jamie Heaslip was dropped

He can rub people up the wrong way with his off field persona, but when Ireland’s number eight goes to work, he really goes to work.

Do say

I dunno. Taking two scrum-halves could really backfire

Nobody wants to talk about injuries, but if Schmidt loses Conor Murray or Eoin Reddan within 48 hours of kick-off then the remaining scrum-half is a walking target.

Conor Murray, Joe Schmidt and Eoin Reddan Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Ask: ‘What do you think about overseas players being drafted in to represent other nations?’

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Go easy on the offloads, lads

Sure they look great when they work. But what will Joe say if Ireland lose possession.

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It’s just ridiculous that four of the world’s top 10 teams are all in a single pool

Bonus points then when you know the four teams.

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What would we do without Mike Ross / Peter O’Mahony / Rory Best?

Rory Best, Mike Ross and Paul O'Connell A great bunch of lads. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Pick an unsung hero from the starting line-up, sing their praises. Preach to the choir and bask in the chorus coming back your way.

‘How are we going to play without Robbie Henshaw?’

Guaranteed to get a multi-layered chat going.

Robbie Henshaw and Simon Zebo Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

‘Listen, you just have to trust Joe’

Guaranteed to end an argument and have everyone nodding sagely in agreement.

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Ranked: Gordon D’Arcy’s 7 tries for Ireland

Two Irishmen have been named in USA’s squad for the Rugby World Cup

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